- CBT methods
- Client-centered work
- Mindfulness practice
About Melissa
Melissa Madriaga is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Wisconsin with eight years of clinical experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, eating and food-related issues, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, parenting strain, anger, and coping with life changes. She also lists blended family issues among her focus areas and supports people facing commitment, communication, guilt, and financial stresses.
She trained with a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Melissa previously worked with incarcerated and unhoused populations and has experience supporting members of the LGBTQ community and veterans. Her background includes seven years of service in the United States Army Reserves and she operates a private practice in Wisconsin.
In sessions she uses Client-Centered Therapy to prioritize the person’s perspective and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at patterns of thought and behavior. Melissa also draws on Mindfulness Therapy and Narrative Therapy to help people notice moment-to-moment reactions and reshape the stories they tell about themselves. These methods are used to address things like body image, eating issues, isolation, and guilt.
She has experience with eating-related concerns and completed an Eating Disorder Certification Program as noted in her background. Melissa describes practical, skills-based work such as coping strategies, communication practice, and problem-focused planning for life transitions and parenting stress.
Outside of work she is a single mother and spends time hiking, biking, and enjoying Wisconsin with her two daughters and pets. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking and follow the site steps to schedule an initial meeting.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Melissa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in her work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and changing behavior patterns, which can help with anxiety, depression, and eating-related concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the person’s own goals and perspective, helping them set priorities and guide the work.She also uses mindfulness and narrative techniques to complement those approaches. Mindfulness helps people notice reactions in the moment and reduce reactivity. Narrative Therapy supports looking at personal stories and finding alternative ways to describe difficult experiences. Deciding which mix of approaches to use is a collaborative process based on a person’s needs and goals.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Many people find online work helps fit sessions into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins can be scheduled during a break, and non-video options can reduce bandwidth needs. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT and client-centered exercises to remote sessions, and Melissa will work with the client to find a practical routine that fits their schedule and preferences.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Wisconsin
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address related to blended households?
She lists blended family issues and supports adults managing stepfamily roles, merging routines, and loyalty concerns.
How would Melissa describe her therapy style?
She combines Client-Centered Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and uses mindfulness and narrative techniques to help people notice patterns and reframe their stories.
How long has she been practicing?
She has eight years of clinical experience and previously worked with incarcerated and unhoused populations.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Wisconsin and practices there.
Are sessions available in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
Which session formats can I book with her?
The biography does not list specific session formats; confirm current session options before booking.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.